PREVALENCE AND SENSITIVITY PATTERN OF STAPHYLOCCUS AUREUS IN SURGICAL WOUND INFECTIONS

Abstract

The problem of infection has been persistent in the surgical world even after the introduction of
antibiotics. Pathogens that infect surgical wounds can be part of normal flora or acquired from the
hospital environment or other infected patients. Staphylococcus aureus, being the normal microbial flora
of the skin is one of the commonest causes of wound infection. A total of 1088 pus samples from
surgical wounds were received in the Department of Microbiology, Pt.B.D.S,UHS, Rohtak over a period
of one year. The isolates were identified using standard laboratory procedures. All the isolates were
tested for susceptibility to various commonly used antibiotics and screened for oxacillin susceptibility
according to CLSI guidelines.Out of 1088 pus samples received, 833(76.5%) were culture positive.
S.aureus accounted for 10.6% of surgical wound infections. Methicillin resistance was documented in
54 (60.6%) of the S.aureus isolates. Highest efficacy was observed with linezolid (100%). The hospital
acquired surgical site infection is alarming. Hospital disinfection and treatment protocols should be
practiced.